ROME, Ga. – Lee McCloud scored a career-high 26 points as Berry College rallied for an 82-79 win over visiting Piedmont College on Saturday afternoon.

McCloud was 10-16 shooting and made four 3-point baskets. Freshman Caleb Johnson added 23 points and was 8-12 from the field.Owen Jacobs tallied 15 points (13 in the second half) and grabbed nine rebounds for the home club.

With the win, BC heads to the holiday break with a 4-5 record. The Lions dropped to 3-3 for the season.

The Vikings had to come from behind for the win as the Lions led by as many as nine points in the second half.

The home team trailed 70-66 with 5:31 remaining. The Vikings, however, outscored PC, 16-9, the rest of the way to secure the victory.

PC had a chance to steal the game with three seconds left. Jesse Jenkins was fouled with his team trailing 80-79. He missed the first free throw. On the second, his attempt was canceled on a teammate's lane violation.

Berry shot 49-percent (28-57) to PC's 42-percent (28-66).

The Vikings trailed 39-37 at halftime. Piedmont led most of the half until Samuel Powell nailed a jumper to put the home team ahead 27-26 with 4:54 left in the first period. McCloud had 17 first-half points on 7-10 shooting for Berry.

Justin Vallejo had 19 points and 15 rebounds to lead Piedmont. The Lions won the battle of the boards, 46-31.

Berry returns to action on Dec. 28 at Transylvania.